….Why Crossword Puzzles Are So Popular
1. Crosswords are excellent mental exercise - whether you’re looking for a quick workout (something in your local newspaper) or a marathon (a challenging weekend crossword in places such as the New York Times).
2. They’re a personal challenge on a daily basis in which success is quietly celebrated while failure is not losing but rather an opportunity to learn and an incentive to do better the next day.
3. In an increasingly multi-tasking world, crosswords offer a much-need break because they require focus and time to think. It’s not like you can do a crossword, have a conversation, surf the Web and watch TV at the same time.
4. You can compete with yourself or with other people. A good example is the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament run by the NYT’s crossword guru, Will Shortz. Now in its 32nd year, it’s a three day crossword extravanganza that offers a $5,000 first prize and, more important, the opportunity to socialize with other crossword fanatics.
5. Anyone can do a crossword, which gives them universal appeal. Whether you have a PhD in English or you’re a truck driver waiting for your next load, crosswords appeal to everyone and anyone.
More: Crosswords date back to England in the 19th century but didn’t become a craze until 1913 when a journalist, Arthur Wynne, created the first modern crossword, which made its debut on December 21 in the New York World.
This Just In: Maybe what the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament needs to add some sizzle is do what the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition is doing: get a hot “sideline” reporter such as Erin Andrews!
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